Weddings at the ASHA Centre: A Sacred Space for Meaningful Celebration
In a world of wedding venues built for volume, the ASHA Centre offers something very different: a space designed for depth, beauty, and spiritual presence. Tucked in the Forest of Dean, surrounded by organic gardens and ancient woodland, the ASHA Centre is not just a location, it’s a philosophy. And for couples seeking a celebration that reflects more than style, it may be the perfect place to begin a life together.
This is a venue for those who want their wedding to feel intentional, not performative. A place where love is honoured in nature, where ceremony carries meaning, and where the day reflects your values, not someone else’s template.
A Venue That Feels Like Home, and Sacred Ground
The ASHA Centre is a restored Georgian estate, set within five acres of landscaped gardens, orchard, and forest paths. On site, there are open-air spaces for ceremonies, indoor salons for gatherings, a rose garden for photos and reflection, and forest trails where guests can wander in quiet.
Couples can design their ceremony across several beautiful backdrops:
The Peace Grove, a quiet outdoor sanctuary ringed by trees
The Rose Garden, in full bloom by late spring
The Dining Room or Salon, for winter weddings or indoor rituals
The Fire Circle, for closing blessings, spoken word, or shared reflection
There is no rigid package. The Centre offers space, intention, and quiet support, leaving room for you to craft something personal and deeply resonant.
Weddings That Reflect Your Values
At ASHA, weddings are not about performance; they are about presence. This is an ideal setting for couples who value:
Simplicity with beauty
Eco-consciousness and sustainability
Spiritual or interfaith practices
Family connection and shared meals
Poetry, music, ritual, and storytelling
Time in nature, quiet reflection, and meaning
Some couples hold fully private ceremonies. Others gather small circles of family and friends. Larger gatherings are welcome too, but the spirit of the place lends itself to intentionality, whether your guest list is 10, 50 or more/
The ASHA team can help co-create a ceremony with you, or simply offer the space for you to bring your own vision to life. Flexibility is part of the Centre’s spirit. You can involve your own officiant, celebrant, musician, or spiritual guide, or draw from the Centre’s deep network of facilitators, artists, and community elders.
Staying at the Centre
Guests may stay onsite in the main house or country cottages, depending on group size and availability. The accommodation is simple and charming, more like a retreat space than a hotel. Rooms are clean, warm, and designed to encourage peace and connection rather than distraction.
Meals can be prepared by ASHA’s resident cooks, using organic, vegetarian ingredients grown in the Centre’s organic gardens. Shared meals, eaten communally in the dining room or outdoors under trees, often become one of the most memorable parts of the wedding weekend.
Evening fire circles, walks at dawn, and time in the peace lodge allow for more than just a party, they allow for presence. It’s not uncommon for guests to leave with something stirred within them, something awakened.
Planning and Availability
Because ASHA is a working retreat centre and not a commercial wedding venue, a limited number of weddings are hosted each year. Each is handled with individual care.
If you are considering ASHA for your wedding, you are encouraged to get in touch well in advance. Share a little about your story, your vision, and your preferred dates. The ASHA team will respond with availability, options, and any suggested guidance.
You are welcome to visit the site in advance. Many couples choose to stay for a retreat weekend beforehand, to immerse themselves in the energy of the place before planning their ceremony.
To begin the conversation, contact: [email protected] or visit www.ashacentre.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we have to follow a specific religion or belief system?
Not at all. ASHA is interfaith and inclusive. Your ceremony can be spiritual, secular, poetic, traditional, or a blend of all. The team will support you in designing something true to your values.
How many guests can the Centre accommodate?
Weddings of up to 80 guests are typical. For smaller ceremonies, the space feels equally perfect. Overnight accommodation is available for a portion of guests depending on season and group structure.
Is ASHA licensed for legal ceremonies?
The Centre is not currently licensed for civil marriages. Many couples choose to hold a legal ceremony elsewhere, and host their deeper spiritual or communal wedding at ASHA.
Can we use our own celebrant or officiant?
Yes. You are free to bring your own celebrant, spiritual guide, or officiant. The ASHA team can also recommend trusted individuals who understand the tone and values of the Centre.
Can we stay for more than one night?
Yes. Many couples choose a two- or three-night stay to include arrival, ceremony, and post-wedding reflection. Guests often say the extended time makes the experience even more meaningful.
Can we involve rituals, music, or performances?
Absolutely. The Centre welcomes artistic, musical, and ritual elements, especially those that reflect your story and roots.
A Wedding Rooted in Spirit
Weddings at the ASHA Centre are not about trends. They are about truth. They are about stepping into sacred union with care, community, and intention. For couples seeking something more than decoration, for those looking to marry not just in front of witnesses, but in alignment with nature, legacy, and love, this is a rare and beautiful place to begin.
To explore your wedding at the ASHA Centre, or simply to feel the space before deciding, get in touch. The path begins with a conversation, and often, something more.
